A Fair, Just, Honourable Agreement

Notes for an address by

The Honourable Jim Prentice, PC, QC, MP Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-status Indians

at the

Initialling of the Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement

The Empress Hotel
Victoria, British Columbia
December 9, 2006

Check against delivery

Thank you, Premier Campbell, for your kind introduction. Good morning, Elders, Chief Cootes, Chief Mundy, Chief Dennis, Chief Mack, Chief Smith, Minister de Jong, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I am truly honoured to join you today on Coast Salish Territory to witness the initialling of the Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement. By initialling this final agreement, the chief negotiators for Canada and British Columbia, and the lead negotiator for the Maa-nulth First Nations, recommend that their respective governments ratify the agreement.

Once ratified by all three parties and enacted as legislation at both the provincial and federal levels, the Agreement will become a treaty and will set in motion lasting solutions to issues that have hindered the economic growth and social development of your communities for far too long.

I believe that we are living through an extraordinary period in the history of Canada, British Columbia and First Nation communities in the province. In late October, federal, provincial and First Nation negotiators initialled the Lheidli T'enneh Final Agreement—the first settlement reached through the British Columbia treaty process. Yesterday, many of us here were privileged to be in Delta to attend the initialling of the Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement—the second final agreement and the first for a First Nation whose lands are situated in an urban area.

Today's ceremony represents the first final agreement involving more than one First Nation community, and the third settlement reached through the BC treaty process. I look forward to returning to British Columbia several times in the months to come, as agreements-in-principle with a number of First Nation communities in this province progress towards final agreements.

Ceremonies such as this one mark more than an important and practical milestone in the negotiations; they also help us to take stock of our achievements. They enable us to appreciate fully the results of an often lengthy and complex process, to be conscious of what can be achieved through patient negotiation, collaboration and compromise, to recognize the reconciliation that occurs when different sides meet on the basis of equality, trust and mutual respect.

These ceremonies also clearly signify that the BC treaty process can work for everyone. By fully engaging in a tripartite negotiation process, we have ensured that final agreements are fair, just and proper for the people of British Columbia, for citizens of local municipalities and for members of First Nation communities.

This is precisely what this prudent process is designed to achieve. In the words of Miles Richardson, one of the individuals who developed the BC treaty process:

“It is not meant to draw thick lines between neighbourhoods. It is not about excluding anyone. It is about bringing people together and figuring out how we are going to live together and share.”

These are wise words and I agree wholeheartedly with them. In the same spirit of openness, trust and friendship expressed by Miles Richardson, I would like to salute Premier Campbell for his steadfast commitment to the process, and commend Chief Commissioner Steven Point and his colleagues at the BC Treaty Commission for their ongoing efforts. I would also like to extend my deep thanks to the negotiating teams—led by chief federal negotiator Eric Denhoff, chief provincial negotiator Mark Lofthouse and the Maa-nulth First Nations' lead negotiator Gary Yabsley.

Finally, I would like to salute the Maa-nulth First Nations for their tireless dedication to reaching this Final Agreement. Many people from the Maa-nulth communities are responsible for this Agreement. However, in particular, I would like to acknowledge the late George Watts. A driving force as Chief Negotiator for the Nuu-chah-nulth and Maa-nulth First Nations, George Watts played a key leadership role in the B.C. treaty process since its inception in 1991. A man of vision, and determination in advancing negotiations with governments, his passing represents a loss to all Canadians.

I would like to assure you that the Government of Canada remains committed to the BC treaty process. I am convinced that the process is the best way for federal, provincial and First Nation governments to address how we are all going to live together in an economically prosperous, culturally vibrant and environmentally sustainable British Columbia. Indeed, as the federal Auditor General, Sheila Fraser, herself stated:

"Negotiations remain an effective means by which the parties can build the new relationship they are seeking and resolve their claims."

Like the Auditor General, I am a firm believer in the negotiated settlements between federal, provincial and First Nation governments. The energies and resources required to achieve agreements can be great. But when we succeed—when we reach fair, just, honourable agreements—I believe that they can have a powerful influence on First Nation communities.

This final agreement will enable the Maa-nulth First Nation communities to assume greater control over issues affecting your people and lands; to make choices about how to use your resources to deliver programs and services; to protect and nourish your culture; and to create business partnerships and build self-reliant communities that are better prepared to participate in the overall economic growth and development of Canada.

In the end, these are precisely the goals that all Canadians—Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike—are striving to achieve—for our families, for our communities, and for our country.

Thank you.